Vishnu Waghela: Overcoming Challenges to Become a Star of the Indian Blind Football Team

New Delhi, August 23: Vishnu Waghela from Gujarat is the captain of the Indian Blind Football Team. Despite losing his eyesight in childhood, Vishnu pursued his dream of playing football and has made a name for himself on both national and international stages. His achievements have brought immense joy not only to his family but also to his entire village in Wada, located in the Banaskantha district.

Despite facing numerous challenges, Vishnu’s passion for football has never waned. His family has supported him at every step of his journey.

Vishnu shared, “I have played in about 10 countries. I have also won the ‘Best Player’ title on 2-3 tours. I play as a defender for the Indian team and as a striker for the Gujarat team. I have received the Top Scorer award three times.”

Vishnu’s father, Tejubhai Waghela, mentioned that he sent his son to Thara for education, after which Vishnu moved to Palanpur and then to Ahmedabad. It was in Ahmedabad that he began playing football, with strong support from the villagers. Since then, Vishnu has never looked back, achieving success at the state level and beyond.

The Blind People’s Association (BPA) in Ahmedabad has played a crucial role in honing Vishnu’s skills, providing him with access to sports grounds and better training facilities, thanks to government and community support.

Bhushan Punani, the secretary of BPA, stated, “The association has a state-of-the-art football ground in Naz village. This is the second time a Premier League match has been held here. Today, Gujarat is a leading state in ‘Football for the Blind’ in the country, thanks to Vishnu Waghela’s courage and initiative.”

Vishnu serves as an inspiration for other differently-abled athletes in the state. He was awarded ‘Best Player’ for his outstanding performance against Brazil at the BRICS Blind Football Tournament held in Moscow in 2025.

The Gujarat government is committed to providing better sports facilities and training for athletes, encouraging them to participate in national and international competitions. This support is enabling players like Vishnu Waghela to bring recognition to Gujarat on both national and global platforms.